Lama Zopa Rinpoche during the long life puja offered by Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

On October 14, a long life puja and “Gratitude Award” was offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Sera Je Monastery. This special event was to honor Rinpoche for the many decades of support Rinpoche has shown to the monastery, including the 25+ year accomplishment of the Sera Je Food Fund, which is now a full endowment covering the monastery’s yearly food expenses for over 2,000 Sangha. 

Sera Je monk Ven. Tenzin Legtsok, shares the moving show of support to Rinpoche:

“This was a rare occasion when literally all of the monks of Sera Je came together from the youngest school boys up to the ex-abbots, the most senior monks from Buxa, all the geshes, tulkus, geshe program students, and monastery staff. Among the eminent lamas in attendance were the two former abbots of Sera Je, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Delek and Logoan Tulku Tenzin Choesang, the ex-abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Jhado Rinpoche, the current abbot of Sera Mey Monastery, Geshe Tashi Tsering, the abbot in waiting of Gyume Monastery, Geshe Ngawang Sangye and others. There were also representatives from the local Tibetan government. Everyone was there. Just the presence of so many monks was a powerful and palpable expression of their sincere respect for Rinpoche and their deep gratitude for His support over so many years. Every monk I spoke to was very happy that the monastery had decided to organize this long life puja and award ceremony for Rinpoche. Inside, the prayer hall was filled to overflowing with geshes and senior monks in the late years of the Geshe Studies Program such that the younger monks and school boys all had to sit outside.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche arriving to Sera Je Monastery before the long life puja, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

Sangha of Sera Je Monastery offering a long life puja to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

The proceedings began with an hour of opening prayers, followed by processions of mandala offerings made by leaders of the monastery and each khangtsen (monastic community house), as well as the monastery school, healthcare center, and library. The Sangha of Sera Je then made extensive auspicious offerings, completing with the main mandala offering to Rinpoche coming from Sera Je abbot Geshe Tashi Tsethar. The abbot’s words to Rinpoche are recounted here by Ven. Legtsok:

“He began by recounting how difficult the situation was for the monks before Rinpoche began offering food. Money was extremely scarce and most monks struggled to get enough food to eat. As a result, many came down with illnesses or left. Seeing that this situation was a source of much suffering and a hindrance to the development of the monastic community, Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsering requested Rinpoche to help sponsor food for the monks. That was thirty-one years ago. Since then, Rinpoche has continually provided funding for three meals per day enabling the monastic community to thrive.

“The abbot recounted how, wishing to ensure that the monks were provided with food far into the future Rinpoche endeavored on the monumental task to build up an endowment such that the cost of food would be covered by the interest from this fund. In 2017 FPMT offered this endowment of US$5.3 million. Again and again the abbot said that to express all of Rinpoche’s holy deeds would be impossible and totally beyond him. But to mention a few more he recounted Rinpoche’s support for building the current prayer hall when the old one had been outgrown, Rinpoche’s support over many years for the Sera Je School, for the healthcare center, the library, for the many khangtsens and private house groups, for other monasteries belonging to both the Geluk, Sakya, Nyingma, and Kagyu Traditions, as well as for schools, clinics, homes for the elderly and more in the Tibetan exile community as well as Nepal and India, not to mention building countless holy objects.

“The abbot expressed how this immense work of generosity was not Rinpoche’s alone but has also been the work of Venerable Roger Kunsang, other FPMT International office staff, sponsors, and the hundred-fifty plus FPMT centers, projects, and all the benefactors and students. As the abbot spoke all were silent and one could feel the energy of gratitude build as the monks took to mind all that Rinpoche and FPMT have done for them and countless others. Voicing one kindness after another and looking out at the sea of geshes and monks in their yellow robes that Rinpoche’s generosity has enabled to grow so large, the abbot teared up and had to pause for a few moments to collect himself. So sincere was his deep appreciation.”

Lama Zopa Rinpoche receiving a stupa during long life puja offered by Sera Je Monstery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo courtesy Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

The long life puja spanned over four hours, at the end of which Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered words of humility and then requested to informally share some advice. Ven. Legtsok summarizes some of Rinpoche’s words:

“The most important thing in studying in the monastery, Rinpoche said, was for it not to remain mere words but that it be accompanied by sincere practice. The essence of practice is to subdue the mind. To transform the mind into Dharma. If we do not subdue our minds and transform our actions into Dharma then the whole thing becomes a waste, another worldly endeavor with no benefit for ourselves or others.”

Rinpoche then offered further advice on methods to subdue the mind. The events concluded with the monastery disciplinarian offering a telling of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s life story and thanking Rinpoche, Ven. Roger Kunsang, and all the FPMT staff, centers, teachers, students, benefactors, and all the organizers of the event. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche being presented “Expression of Gratitude” award during long life puja offered by Sera Je Monastery, Bylakuppe, India, October 14, 2022. Photo Courtesy of Sera Je Monastery Facebook page.

Awards Presented By the Monastery

The “Expression of Gratitude” award presented to Lama Zopa Rinpoche reads:

In honor of His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s immense contribution to the preservation and promotion not only within the Buddhist community domain but across the globe, disseminating the wisdom and knowledge of the Buddha Dharma. In particular, Rinpoche has remained the principal patron and benefactor of Sera Je Monastery through significant support to major projects and programs, such as the Assembly Hall, annual All Gelug Institute’s Winter Debate, known as ‘”Jang-Gun-Choe;” annual All Gelug University Board Examinations, and the Sera Je Food Fund since 1991.

This Expression of Gratitude is hereby presented to H.E. Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, in recognition and profound appreciation of His Infinite kindness and philanthropic support to Sera Je Monastery, and in continuing his numerous spiritual, educational, and social development mission projects and programs.

Ven. Roger Kunsang was also recognized at this ceremony for his decades-long devotion to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision with a “Expression of Appreciation” award. The award plaque reads:

In honor of Venerable Roger Kunsang for his commendable and enduring service in the capacity of personal secretary to His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and as CEO leading the FPMT, the centers, and its mission successfully over the years.

Sera Je Monastery has received immense contribution support from His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche through FPMT’s programs during the last three decades.

This Expression of Appreciation is hereby presented to Ven. Roger Kunsang, in recognition and profound appreciation for his commitment and devotional service to His Eminence Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and leading the FPMT successfully and particularly in the preservation and promotion of the Buddha Dharma and also towards social developmental welfare of communities and institutions.

Please join the entire FPMT community in rejoicing at this sincere offering of gratitude and well wishes for the long and healthy life of Lama Zopa Rinpoche from the Sera Je Monastery community on behalf of all who Rinpoche has been benefitting in so many numerous and expansive ways; and for acknowledging the tireless devotion and service of Ven. Roger Kunsang. 

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.